Sometimes, though, the stuff delivered by snail mail can be a real eye-opener — more than credit card offers and scratch-and-sniff ads for male perfume.

The AARP article that caught my eye was titled “Sitting is the new smoking.” The article, written by Elizabeth Pope, says Americans are sitting more than ever. We sit on average 10 hours a day, whether that is in the car, at work, or at the TV or computer.

What’s the big deal? The more we sit, Pope contends, the greater our odds of becoming obese, of having a stroke, of getting cancer or diabetes.

It’s a 30-year lifestyle problem. Day by day, year by year, the pounds build and the threat grows.

It’s not too late, however, to make a New Year’s resolution to get up and move. The best way to solve the nation’s health care crisis — and the massive costs to the system 10, 20 and 30 years from now — is to each do our part.

Admittedly, most people will not want to commit to six days of exercise, an hour a day, although that is the health sweet spot, according to Dr. Henry Lodge, co-author of “Younger Next Year.” It’s the spot where you get the most health dividends for the least exercise investment.

Most people, however, will consider that excessive.

But most people can choose to take regular breaks from sitting. They can get away from the computer or TV every hour. Park at the far end of the grocery store parking lot.

Even if you get out and walk several days a week, for maybe a half hour a day, it will make a huge difference. It’ll put money in your wallet — and a spring in your step you might have thought was gone forever.

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